By EilandH.R. No. 68
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Don W. Micks on June 16, 1998, at the age of 79 has brought
a great loss to his family and many friends and to the fields of science in which he was so
renowned; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Micks was born November 23, 1918, to Dr. W. W. Micks and Bernice
Barbour Micks in Mt. Vernon, New York; he grew up in Texas and attended North Texas State
University in Denton, earning a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in zoology;
and
WHEREAS, The onset of World War II delayed his academic career when he enlisted in the
U.S. Navy; he served with the 5th Marine Division and was in the Battle of Iwo Jima; and
WHEREAS, His experience in the South Pacific fueled his interest in tropical diseases, and
on returning he entered Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, where
he earned his doctorate in public health; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Micks returned to Texas in 1949 when he accepted a position with the
Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health at the University of Texas Medical
Branch in Galveston; in 1961, he was made chairman of the department, a post he held until his
retirement in 1985; and
WHEREAS, His abilities and competence became more widely known, and Dr. Micks was
invited to participate in a variety of professional projects and studies, including a Fulbright
Senior Research Professorship at the Spallanzani Institute at the University of Pavia in Italy and
a position as senior biologist in the Division of Environmental Health at the World Health
Organization in Geneva, Switzerland; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of years, his talents for teaching and his dedication to research
earned him an enviable roster of awards, citations, and completed studies; in 1991, he received
the Alumni Appreciation Award for Teaching Excellence and was a member of the Texas
Academy of Science; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Micks also served as a fellow of the American Public Health Association, a
member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Royal Society of
Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and as president of the American Mosquito Control
Association; he was awarded numerous research grants, published more than 100 papers, and
frequently contributed to science publications; and
WHEREAS, This noted scholar was also an active community member; the Vestry of Trinity
Episcopal Church, the William Temple Foundation, and St. Vincent's House are among the
organizations that benefited from Dr. Micks's prodigious energy and caring; and
WHEREAS, Since 1986, the Department of Preventive Medicine at UTMB-Galveston has
awarded a graduate scholarship in the name of Dr. Micks, for in his concern, scholarship, and
drive, he embodied all that is noble and lasting of science, and it is truly fitting to honor his
memory at this time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas Legislature hereby pay
tribute to the life of Dr. Don W. Micks and extend sincere sympathy to his wife of 54 years,
Martha; to their children and their spouses, Fred and Jane Micks, Steve and Barbara Micks, Marj
and Travis Heare, and Carol Zapp; to their grandchildren, Callie, Ryan, Austin, Jordan, Stephen,
and Michael; to his brother, William R. Micks; to his sisters, Janet Loveless and Betty Lenski;
and to the many friends and colleagues of this esteemed gentleman; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the members of his
family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in the
memory of Dr. Don W. Micks.